MLT 289 - Advanced Clinical Lab Practicum

1. Assess laboratory safety and quality control.
   1. Identify safety and precaution labels and signs.
   2. Disinfect work area.
   3. Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
   4. Practice correct hand-washing technique.
   5. Dispose of biohazardous waste.
   6. Protect self, Teaching Techs, and patients from transmission of infectious disease.
   7. Perform appropriate error correction and documentation.
   8. Identify government agencies regulating laboratory results.
   9. Explain the use of quality control in the lab.
   10. Define accuracy and precision.
   11. Calculate standard deviations and coefficient of variation.
   12. Determine factors that affect procedures and results.
2. Evaluate specimen collection, transport, and processing.
   1. State criteria for evaluating specimen quality and corrective action to resolve problems.
   2. Label specimens accurately.
   3. Centrifuge STAT tubes as soon as they arrive in the lab.
   4. Centrifuge clot tubes after at least 20 minutes of clotting or as per lab policy.
   5. Demonstrate knowledge of the laboratory information system (LIS).
   6. Perform phlebotomy.
3. Perform quality control (QC).
   1. Monitor QC.
   2. Record QC data.
   3. Evaluate QC records.
   4. Take corrective action should QC fall outside of established limits.
   5. Prepare controls and calibrators to use in testing.
4. Operate equipment.
   1. Identify the primary operating components.
   2. Select reagents.
   3. Describe reagent reactions.
   4. Demonstrate reagent handling.
   5. Process samples.
   6. Program and/or calibrate the instrument or equipment.
   7. Produce valid patient results. 
5. Perform equipment maintenance.
   1. Identify functioning and non-functioning instrument or equipment.
   2. Troubleshoot problems on the instrument or equipment.
   3. Return the instrument or equipment to online use.
6. Perform testing in the Clinical Chemistry lab.
   1. Perform an osmolality assay and evaluate results.
   2. State principles of procedures.
   3. Identify special sample types and requirements.
   4. List reagent requirements.
   5. Discuss special handling procedures.
   6. Discuss the appropriateness of ordering specific tests.
   7. Explain the pathophysiological significance of results.
   8. Discuss the clinical usefulness of chemistry profiles.
   9. Identify the chemical tests comprising profiles.
7. Perform Hematology and Coagulation analyses.
   1. Perform abnormal differentials in 20 ± 5 minutes.
   2. Correlate possible pathological conditions with abnormal cell types.
   3. Evaluate cell histograms and/or scattergrams, and predict pathophysiological causes of abnormalities.
   4. Discuss cytochemical staining procedures and results.
   5. Perform erythrocyte sedimentation rate tests.
   6. Perform reticulocyte counts.
   7. Assist in in the collection, preparation, and staining of a bone marrow aspirate.
   8. Perform manual cell counts.
   9. Discuss the principles of the procedures, reagents used, and pathophysiological significance of coagulation tests.
8. Perform Immunohematology testing.
   1. Prepare red blood cell suspensions.
   2. Read and grade agglutination reactions.
   3. Perform routine Type & Screens in 30 ± 5 minutes (or per hospital requirements).
   4. Perform routine Type & Crossmatches in 45 ± 5 minutes (or per hospital requirements).
   5. Perform prenatal and postpartum testing.
   6. Identify unexpected antibodies.
   7. Perform antigen typing.
   8. Investigate transfusion reactions.
   9. Prepare blood components needed for transfusion for adults, children, and neonates.
   10. Inventory and order blood products.
   11. Receive and process blood products from collection facilities.
   12. Issue blood components and Rh immune globulin.
9. Perform Immunology and Serology testing.
   1. Perform manual testing kit procedures.
   2. Discuss and/or perform automated and molecular testing techniques.
10. Perform testing in the Clinical Microbiology lab.
    1. Perform various staining procedures (e.g., Gram stain, acid-fast), and interpret results.
    2. Read and report Gram stains results within 5 minutes.
    3. Select media specific to specimen site.
    4. Demonstrate inoculation and isolation procedures.
    5. Identify colony characteristics of pathogens and normal flora from various body sites.
    6. Identify clinically-significant isolates.
    7. Perform antibiotic susceptibility testing.
11. Perform Urinalyses and Body Fluid analyses.
    1. Perform and report microscopic urinalyses within 5 minutes.
    2. Perform confirmatory tests and interpret results.
    3. Perform cell counts, differentials, crystal identification, and chemical test on body fluids; and, interpret results.
12. Report results.
    1. Call critical values to designated health care professionals.
    2. Report troponin results within 30 minutes of collection or per lab policy.
    3. Report STAT results within 60 minutes of collection or per lab policy.
    4. Report routine tests within 90 minutes of collection or per lab policy.
    5. Follow lab criteria for record keeping.
    6. Maintain patient reports.
13. Evaluate judgment and decision making skills.
    1. Follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
    2. Analyze laboratory findings to recognize common procedural and technical problems.
    3. Take corrective action.
    4. Check for sources of errors.
    5. Evaluate laboratory findings to recognize and report the need for additional testing.
14. Assess professional conduct.
    1. Demonstrate interpersonal communication skills with patients, other health care professionals, and the public.
    2. Practice confidentiality.
    3. Follow written and verbal instructions.
    4. Demonstrate ethical time management.
    5. Choose workplace-appropriate attire and jewelry.
    6. Recognize the responsibilities of other laboratory and health care personnel, interacting with them with respect to their jobs and patient care.
    7. Recognize the need for continuing education as a function of growth and maintenance of professional competence.
    8. Maintain professional growth and competence through involvement in continuing education.
    9. Demonstrate workplace basic skills of listening, writing, leadership, and time management.
    10. Practice written and oral communication skills.
    11. Create a team atmosphere in laboratory functions.